ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Nation pays homage to Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on his 128th Birth Anniversary
The President Shri Ram Nath Kovind led the nation in paying homage to Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 128th birth anniversary here today. The President offered floral tributes at the statue of Baba Saheb at Sansad Bhavan Lawns in the Parliament House complex this morning.
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkiah Naidu, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan offered floral tributes to the Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar. Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot and many dignitaries also offered tributes.
The function was organised by the Ambedkar Foundation, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s interaction through PRAGATI
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today chaired his twenty-eighth interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress in resolution of grievances related to income tax. Finance Ministry officials briefed him on the progress made in this regard. The Prime Minister reiterated that all systems should be made technology-driven, and human interface should be reduced to the minimum. Noting the progress made in bringing corrupt officials to book, the Prime Minister said that the various initiatives and measures taken by the Income Tax Department to facilitate the people, should be communicated to all taxpayers suitably.
The 27 PRAGATI meetings so far have seen a cumulative review of projects with a total investment of over Rs. 11.5 lakh crore. Resolution of Public Grievances has also been reviewed across a range of sectors.
Today, in the twenty-eighth meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed the progress of nine important infrastructure projects in the railway, road, and petroleum sectors. These projects are spread over several states including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The Prime Minister reviewed the progress made towards rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, under Ayushman Bharat. He also reviewed the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana.
PIB Headquarters
VICE CHANCELLOR’S CONFERENCE HELD IN MEXICO FROM 30 NOV TO 02 DEC EFLU VC SURESH KUMAR PARTICIPATED IN THE CONFERENCE
Prof. E Suresh Kumar, Vice Chancellor, The English and Foreign Languages University  participated in the Vice Chancellor’s Conference in Mexico from 30 November to 02 December 2019. The Conference was a joint initiative by the Association of Indian Universities  and the National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions of Mexico .
The aim of the conference is to provide a common platform to the dedicated group of Vice Chancellors to share experiences on innovations and to expand ideas and solutions to the problems that the participant countries are facing. The conference is intended to facilitate international academic collaborations between the universities of the two nations.
On this occasion, The English and Foreign Languages University signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with the Autonomous University of Sinaloa , Mexico. Through this partnership, the universities will collaborate in academic, research, student and faculty exchange programmes. The MoU facilitates organizing of national and international symposia, conferences, specialized exhibitions and joint research projects.
Prof. Suresh Kumar visited San José State University, San José; and Stanford University, Stanford, California in the United States to explore new trends in teaching and academic research. Prof. Kumar emphasised the importance of global partnerships in order to improve the quality of academics and to provide greater opportunities to the students and teachers of the University.
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan participates in programme for the implementation of National Education Policy 2020 in Uttarakhand
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami review the initiatives taken in the education and skill sectors in Uttarakhand
Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with CM of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami; Minister of Health, Education and Cooperative of Uttarakhand Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat and senior officials of Government of Uttarakhand, participated in the launch of National Education Policy 2020 in Uttarakhand from the academic session 2022-23.
He said that NEP 2020 is a philosophical document to reinvigorate setting up of a knowledge-based economy and society. Uttarakhand-Devbhumi is the land of the divine. Uttarakhand is also the land of knowledge. He lauded Uttarakhand, the Devbhoomi for taking the lead in implementing NEP2020 .
Shri Pradhan asserted that NEP 2020 has put emphasis on education from the age of 3 years with first three years as Balvatika and lauded Uttarakhand for being the first state in the country to adopt this. Later he added, “NEP 2020 has also put emphasis on local languages and mother tongue. We must unshackle our education system from the colonial hangover and create a more inclusive, forward-looking education system”.
Shri Pradhan shared that the world is changing rapidly. We are in the midst of Industrial Revolution 4.0. Uttarakhand is capable of preparing its youth for the challenges of tomorrow. Today’s launch is an important step towards that direction.
He also added that from Gangotri to the galaxy, our youth must explore the world, embrace the future and remain rooted at the same time. Our education system must evolve and keep pace with their aspirations.
Shri Pradhan underlined the role of technology in transforming education. He also highlighted various initiatives by the Govt. of India such as 260 TV channels for education and Digital University, etc. for strengthening the digital ecosystem.
Shri Pradhan aslo reviewed the initiatives taken in the education and skill sectors in Uttarakhand and progress being made in the implementation of NEP2020.
While addressing the gathering Shri Pradhan said that Uttarakhand is a land of divinity and a land of possibilities. A vibrant education and skills ecosystem will equip the youth of Uttarakhand with the necessary knowledge and skills to embrace the challenges of 21st century.
Shri Pradhan further said that Uttarakhand is taking many initiatives in this direction. From Balvatika to stress on local languages, school readiness program, skill development efforts and many other initiatives will pave way for a brighter future for the students of Uttarakhand.
Later, he added that with the spirit of “for the students, by the teachers”, called for a more rooted and futuristic curriculum, capacity building of teachers, leveraging technology and reimagining the skills ecosystem.
Ministry of Culture
NCSM of Culture Ministry has taken up 14 projects for setting up new Science Centres under SPoCS Scheme; four more Science Centre Projects approved: Shri G. Kishan Reddy
Key Highlights:
-NCSM of Culture Ministry has developed a chain of science museums and science centers throughout the country including Science Cities
-25 Science Museums/Science Centres in country are currently functional under NCSM
-Culture Ministry has approved 4 new Science Centre projects in MP, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu
National Council of Science Museums , an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, has developed a chain of science museums and science centers throughout the Country including Science Cities through Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science  for portraying the growth of science and technology and their application in industry and human welfare, with a view to develop scientific attitude and temper in the country as also to conduct research in science and technology in the areas pertaining to the activities of the Council.
NCSM has taken up projects for setting up of new science centres under SPoCS Scheme of Govt. of India as per list attached at Annexure-‘I’.
Currently, 25 Science Museums/Science Centres in the country are functioning under the administrative control of National Council of Science Museums .
NCSM in collaboration with State Governments and UTs have set up 22 Science Centres and handed there over to respective State Government for subsequent operation and maintenance.
Annexure-‘I’
New Science Centre projects taken up by NCSM under SPoCS Scheme of Govt. of India
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Sl.
No.
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Names of the new science centre projects taken up by NCSM under SPOCS Scheme of Govt. of India
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Located in
State/UT
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01
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Science City, Guwahati
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Assam
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02
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Regional Science Centre, Kottayam
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Kerala
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03
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Sub-Regional Science Centre, Palampur
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Himachal Pradesh
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04
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Sub-Regional Science Centre, Gaya
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Bihar
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05
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Sub- Regional Science Centre, Almora
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Uttarakhand
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06
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Sub-Regional Science Centre, Udaipur
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Rajasthan
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07
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Sub-Regional Science Centre, Mayabundar
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A&N Islands
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08
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Sub-Regional Science Centre, Kokrajhar
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Assam
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09
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Science Centre,  Rajahmundry
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Andhra Pradesh
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10
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Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Science City, Patna
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Bihar
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11
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Science Centre , Ambala
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Haryana
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12
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Science Centre , Srinagar
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Jammu & Kashmir
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13
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Science Centre , Ujjain
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Madhya Pradesh
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14
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Science City, Dehradun
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Uttarakhand
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New Projects Approved by MoC
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01
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Science Centre,  Jabalpur
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Madhya Pradesh
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02
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Science Centre,  Ajmer
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Rajasthan
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03
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Science Centre,  Kanyakumari
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Tamil Nadu
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04
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Science Centre,  Bikaner
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Rajasthan
This information was given by minister of Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in written reply in Lok Sabha Today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Providing Large Fishing Vessels to Fishermen of Tamil Nadu
A sub component on ‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’ has been introduced under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’ to provide Deep Sea Fishing Vessels to the traditional fishermen, their societies, associations, Self Help Groups  and Fishers Producer Organizations  for construction of larger deep sea tuna long liners at a project cost of Rs.80 lakh per vessel with 50% Central subsidy assistance. Under the Central Plan Scheme, a sum of Rs.300 crore has been released to the Government of Tamil Nadu during 2017-18 for procurement of Tuna Long liners for traditional fishers and for construction of fish landing centre at Kunthakal in Rameshwaram District of Tamil Nadu.
Central Financial Assistance under the sub component on ‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’ has also been sanctioned to State Government of Andhra Pradesh  and Government of Gujarat .
As per ‘Report of the Working Group for Revalidating the Potential of Fishery Resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone’  the potential yield of oceanic resources is estimated at 216,500 tonnes, which shall be targeted by Deep Sea Fishing Vessels introduced under the said sub component on ‘Assistance for Deep Sea Fishing’.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shrimati Krishna Raj
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of ‘5.22% GS 2025’, Auction for Sale  of ‘6.19% GS 2034’, and Auction for Sale  of ‘7.16% GS 2050’.
The Government of India has announced the Sale  of  ‘5.22% Government Stock, 2025’ for a notified amount of Rs 12,000 crore  through price based auction,  ‘6.19 percent Government Stock, 2034’ for a notified amount of Rs 11,000 crore  through price based auction, and  ‘7.16 per cent Government Stock, 2050’ for a notified amount of Rs 7,000 crore  through price based auction. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs 2,000 crore each against any one or more of the above securities. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on July 10, 2020  using multiple price method.
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stocks will be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on July 10, 2020. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on July 10, 2020  and payment by successful bidders will be on July 13, 2020 .
The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Prime Minister's Office
PM conveys Buddh Purnima greetings
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his greetings on the occasion of Buddh Purnima.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Greetings on Buddha Purnima. May the ideals of Lord Buddha keep showing light and giving strength to us all.”
Ministry of Science & Technology
Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute, Pune discover two new species of pipeworts from the Western Ghats of Maharashtra & Karnataka
The new species belong to a plant group known for their varied medicinal properties
Two new species of a plant group known for their varied medicinal properties have been discovered in the Western Ghats – one of the thirty-five hot-spots of biological diversity in the world.
The plant group known as pipeworts , whichcompletes their life cycle within a small period during monsoon, exhibits great diversity in the Western Ghats, having around 111 species in India.
Most of these are reported from the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas, and around 70% of them are endemic to the country. One species, Eriocaulon cinereum, is well known for its anti-cancerous, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. E. quinquangulare is used against liver diseases. E. madayiparense is an anti-bacterial from Kerala. The medicinal properties of the newly discovered species are yet to be explored.
Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute , Pune, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, have recently found two new species of pipeworts in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
They found the new species while exploring the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. They wanted to trace the evolutionary history of the genus Eriocaulon and made extensive efforts to collect as many species as possible from India, especially from the Western Ghats.
“While critically examining our collection, we came across two accessions, which showed different floral characters than earlier known species. Hence, we studied morphology and its DNA to confirm the novelty,” said Dr. Ritesh Kumar Choudhary, the lead author of the study.
"Identification of the species belonging to Eriocaulon is very difficult as they all look similar, which is why the genus is often referred to as 'Taxonomist’s nightmare'. Its tiny flowers and seeds make it difficult to distinguish between different species," Dr. Choudhary pointed out. Their study was published in the journals 'Phytotaxa' and ‘Annales Botanici Fennici’.
Fig: Eriocaulon parvicephalum
The one reported from Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra was named as Eriocaulon parvicephalum , and the other reported from Kumta, Karnataka was named as Eriocaulon karaavalense .
Fig: Eriocaulon karaavalense
“Future studies will focus on elucidating the evolutionary history of the genus in India. A thorough investigation of the phylogenetic relationship between all Indian species would also help in prioritizing the conservation of threatened species in India. We are also trying to develop DNA barcodes, which will enable us to identify the species with just a portion of the leaf,” said Dr. Choudhary's Ph.D. student Ashwini Darshetkar.
[Publication links:https://doi.org/10.5735/085.056.0417
https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.303.3.3
For more details, Dr. Ritesh Kumar Choudhary  can be contacted.]
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah to chair 29th Meeting of the Southern Zonal Council at Tirupati on 14th November, 2021
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has stressed on the need to leverage co-operative & competitive federalism to achieve all round growth
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah has given impetus to the vision of cooperative federalism to empower States and promote a better understanding between the Centre and States in the policy framework
Shri Amit Shah has emphasised on using the platform of Zonal Council for dispute resolving and promoting cooperative federalism
Zonal Councils take up issues involving Centre and States and one or many States falling in the Zone and provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between Centre and States and among many States in the Zone
Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah will chair the 29th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council comprising of the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Union Territories of Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, scheduled to be held at Tirupati on the 14th November 2021. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has stressed on the need to leverage co-operative & competitive federalism to achieve all round growth. Zonal Councils provide the platform to foster such collaboration through a structured mechanism for dialogue and discussion on continuous basis on the issues affecting two or more states or the Centre and States, in the spirit that strong States make a strong nation.
Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah has given impetus to this vision of cooperative federalism to empower States and promote a better understanding between the Centre and States in the policy framework. He has emphasised on using the platform of Zonal Council for dispute resolving and promoting cooperative federalism.
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is the Vice Chairman and host. Other Chief Ministers from the States in the Zone along with 2 Ministers each are the Members. Chief Secretaries and senior officers from the State Governments and the Central Government will also attend the meeting.
The Zonal Councils take up issues involving Centre and States and one or many States falling in the Zone. The Zonal Councils, thus, provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between Centre and States and among many States in the Zone. The Zonal Councils discuss broad range of issues which include boundary related disputes, security, infrastructure related matters like road, transport, industries, water, and power etc., matters pertaining to forests & environment, housing, education, food security, tourism and transport etc.
Five Zonal Councils were set up in the year 1957 under Section 15-22 of the States Re-organization Act, 1956. Hon’ble Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these 5 Zonal Councils and Chief Ministers of the host State  is the Vice-Chairman. 2 more Ministers from each State are nominated as Members by the Governor.
Ministry of Defence
WALK-IN INTERVIEW FOR MATRON, WARDEN AT SAINIK SCHOOL CANCELLED
The Walk-in-Interviews which were scheduled on 18 November 2021, for the temporary vacancies of Matron and Warden at Sainik School Kazhakoottam has been cancelled. The interview has been cancelled due to the postponement of the opening of sixth and ninth classes. Interview dates for other temporary vacancies remain unchanged. For further details, visit school website, www.sainikschooltvm.nic.in
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Special Service and Features
44 kg Hashish & Meth crystals worth Rs. 5.1 crore concealed in digital weighing machines seizedby Chennai Air Cargo Customs. Two arrested.
Based on intelligence, officers of Chennai Air Cargo Customs intercepted an export consignment suspected to contain narcotic drugs at Air Cargo Export Shed, which was destined forDoha.
In the shipping bill 7 packages containing 55 weighing machines were declared. All the packages were opened and examined. On openingthe packagesDigital weighing scales were found inside. On lifting, the weighing scale appeared to be unusually heavy. All the weighing machines were opened with screw driver and it was found that there was concealment in 52 machines. It was noticed that there was a specially designed metal box fixed by tape to the bottom of scale. On opening the box two pieces of dark brown material in cake form wrapped with plastic strips and sheets found concealed inside. The material tested positive for Hashish. Total 44 kg of Hashish valued at Rs 4.4 crore was recovered from 44 machines. 700 grams of Methaphetamine crystals valued at Rs. 70 lakhs were recovered from two machines. Both Hashish and Meth crystals valued at Rs. 5.1 crore were seized under NDPS Act.
1620 grams of Pregabalin capsules a prescription drug used in anxiety disorder and fibromylgia were recovered from 6 machines and seized.This drug does not fall in controlled drug list in India but abroad in many countries it is a controlled drug.
The Exporter M/s SreeAalaya was sending this consignment to Doha. Searches were carried out and the exporter has been arrested. One staff of the Custom house agent has also been arrested.
Further investigation is in progress.
This stated press release issued by Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Air Cargo
Ministry of Law and Justice
1st Workshop on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace held on 23rd February, 2022 under the aegis of Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice
Shri Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, Union Law Secretary, while addressing the women officers/officials of Department of Legal Affairs, highlighted that the sexual harassment at workplace is the violation of the Fundamental Rights under Article 14, 21 of the Constitution. Until and unless the women come out and open, it will be difficult to bring in changes in attitudes. There are various challenges attached to it and the first step entails talking and writing the incident/complaint to the Complaints Committee. Cyber Crime has also opened a new way of sexual harassment which is a huge challenge. Law Secretary pointed out the provisions under the I.P.C. that cover crimes relating to women.
Ms. Aishwaraya Bhati, Ld. Additional Solicitor General of India felt privileged being at the Department and discussed about the Bhawari Devi case and the way the Vishaka PIL was filed in the Supreme Court. She articulated that patriarchy has no gender. Further, the issue sexual harassment at work place gained visibility and a definite momentum specially in the light of the guidelines passed by the Supreme Court in the matter of Vishaka and Others vs. State of Rajasthan in August, 1997. These guidelines gave sexual harassment a legal definition describing what forms of conduct actually constitute sexual harassment.
Dr. Reeta Vasishta, Secretary, Legislative Department highlighted that the law be implemented in Letter & Spirit. The Complaints Committee should play an active and positive role in its implementation for safer work place for women.
This was followed by an interactive session moderated by Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Additional Secretary on the Law with various activities like ‘Chuppi Tod’ and asked the participants to share one good point in their work place and one area in their work place which they wish to change so as to make it safe and secure. There was a demand to hold such session on frequent intervals.
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HRK
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